What's going for it? You know how much I worship cathedral cities, but I think I may just have found the perfect one. Sure, I've said the same to Ripon, Lincoln and Lichfield: I'm a tart. But this time I really, really mean it. Prettily draped over hills above the river Exe, Exeter's baked from just the right mix of ingredients. Only 15 minutes from the seaside and the wild, windswept, dark and stormy Dartmoor. It has a university to keep it on its toes, a lovely waterfront and some of the best property on the market right now.

The case against ... Heavily bombed during the war; some think the postwar rebuilding's grim, but squint and convince yourself it's cutely retro - the 1950s are very now, you know. Winner of the blandest high street in Britain, but you can squirrel out some decent delis and butchers. Splendid state schools thin on the ground.

Well connected? Yep. Rail: two and a half to three hours to London, one or two an hour; 75 minutes to Bristol, half-hourly; an hour to Plymouth, half-hourly. Road: M5 and A38 and A30; three and a half hours to London, 75 minutes to Bristol, 40 to Plymouth. Even has its own airport.

Hang out at ... Kino, the almost chic basement bar at Exeter's boutique Hotel Barcelona: what a pina colada!

Where to buy A rich city since medieval times means a great selection of property: your usual Georgians to Edwardians, plus oddities such as old almshouses and thatched cottages. The historic streets around the cathedral are an obvious hit. But hunt for good townhouses and detacheds eastwards, in St Leonards, say, and north in Pennsylvania, by the university. The Quay for modern and converted warehouses and cute cottages. Some nice, affordable Victorian terraces in inner urban areas such as Mount Pleasant or St Thomas.

Market values Top dollar: six-bed Georgians or Regencys, £700,000-£900,000. Substantial four- or five-bed detacheds or townhouses, £340,000-£700,000. Smaller detacheds, semis and large terraces, £210,000-£360,000. Modern semis and small period terraces and cottages, £135,000-£220,000. Flats: one-bed, £95,000-£160,000, two-, £120,000-£180,000. Princesshay, a relatively decently designed shopping-and-city-livin' kinda place targeting young city groovesters who know their Eames from their Aaltos, has flats from £120,000-£235,000.

Bargain of the week A terrifically cute but roomy thatched three-bedroom cottage in Exwick, £249,950 with Stratton Creber (01392 274953).

From the streets of Exeter

Michael McGuirk "The Wharf is Exeter's underrated gem - everyone who lives in the city knows about it, but it's unknown to the rest of the universe. Lovely shops, good restaurants and there are few feelings better than sprawling beside the Exe with a pint on a summer evening."

Moira Schafter "The university gives Exeter a sophistication the city might not otherwise have - two theatres, an art-house cinema and some seriously good restaurants."

Magnus Ursell "It's a nice combination of being lively and big, but still friendly and small enough to have a proper sense of community."

· Share your knowledge of your area - its highs and lows, up-and-coming streets or neighbourhoods, good schools, shops, places to hang out and tips for newcomers. We're currently looking for the lowdown on Norwich, Porthcawl and Yarmouth, but feel free to write to us wherever you live. Send letters to Let's Move, Guardian Weekend, 119 Farringdon Road, London EC1R 3ER. Or email us: lets.move@theguardian.com. Please include your postal address.